Brief Scores: India (300/5 in 85 overs) at stumps on Day 1 of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Devdutt Padikkal 117; Asitha Fernando (3/46)
Devdutt Padikkal struck his second century of the series as India recovered from a few early wobbles to take control of the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. His 117 proved the backbone of India’s innings as the visitors overcame the early dismissals of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal before Shubman Gill added a fifty.
SL vs IND, 2nd Test Day 1: Highlights | Scorecard
Two wickets in the final hour gave Sri Lanka some hope heading into day two, but India will be pleased after reaching 300 for five on a day when they won the toss and elected to bat. Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed for 43 by the second new ball in the final over, leaving Dhruv Jurel (7*) and Saransh Jain (4*) at the crease at stumps.
The best batting conditions at the SSC are generally expected to come on day two, so Sri Lanka will be keen to wrap up India’s lower order quickly. India, meanwhile, will want to push towards a total substantial enough to put themselves in a position to bat only once.
India’s day was not without concern. Gill fell shortly after reaching his half-century, while Rishabh Pant was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the left forearm by Lahiru Kumara. Padikkal was eventually dismissed a few overs before the second new ball, but his 117 had already put India in a strong position.
PADIKKAL RIDES HIS LUCK
Padikkal’s day did not begin perfectly. Sri Lanka offered him a life when captain Dhananjaya de Silva grassed a chance at backward point when the batter was on one. Padikkal made sure they paid for it.
Rather than becoming tentative, he grew into the innings. A scorching pull off Lahiru Kumara brought up his fifty, and his ability to leave the ball and wait for scoring opportunities ensured Sri Lanka could not build sustained pressure.
Padikkal eventually reached his second century of the series before Keshara Nuwantha finally found his reward. A quicker delivery turned away after pitching, Padikkal played back to a ball perhaps too full for the shot and it beat the outside edge to hit the off stump. He walked off to warm applause after making 117 off 193 balls, with 12 fours.
INDIA’S EARLY WOBBLES
India had not looked completely settled before Padikkal took charge. Jaiswal showed encouraging signs of putting his recent struggles behind him, leaving the ball outside off well and resisting the cut shot that has caused him problems.
He looked set for more before Asitha Fernando produced one that nipped back sharply. Jaiswal got an inside edge onto the stumps, and the dismissal was followed by a tense exchange as Fernando and Jaiswal came face-to-face before Dhananjaya de Silva intervened.
KL Rahul’s dismissal was another example of India making life harder for themselves. Having reached 18, Rahul went fishing at a delivery well outside off from Kumara and edged through to the wicketkeeper.
Shubman Gill and Padikkal then provided the stability India needed, adding 120 for the third wicket. Gill looked composed as he worked his way towards a half-century, but fell almost immediately after reaching it, edging Asitha Fernando through to the wicketkeeper while pushing at one outside off.
It was another frustrating dismissal for India after he had done much of the hard work.
Rishabh Pant had only just come to the crease when Kumara sent down a short delivery. Pant attempted to pull but failed to connect cleanly and was struck on the left forearm, just below the wrist.
He received treatment from the physio before eventually retiring hurt after scoring three from 15 balls. Ravindra Jadeja replaced him. Pant was later seen without his pads while the medical staff continued to assess him, raising the possibility that he could require further checks.
The late development that could give Sri Lanka the most encouragement was the increasing assistance for the spinners. Nuwantha used the extra turn to dismiss Padikkal.
That could make the second morning a different proposition. India will want to add significantly to their first-innings total, but continued turn could make batting harder.
Padikkal’s dismissal also came just before the second new ball, leaving Sri Lanka with an opportunity to attack India’s lower order with both the harder ball and a surface that may now be offering more assistance.
PADIKKAL’S STATEMENT
India’s first day was ultimately defined by Padikkal. Rahul and Jaiswal fell early, Gill threw away a well-earned fifty and Pant’s injury created another setback. Yet India remained in control because Padikkal refused to allow the innings to unravel.
His 117 was built on awareness rather than domination. He took his chance after being dropped, absorbed the good bowling, punished the bad and kept the scoreboard moving.
The 167 in Galle showed Padikkal could produce a big Test score. The 117 in Colombo showed he could do it again when India needed him. Two big scores in consecutive Tests begin to look like a pattern.
Padikkal is no longer simply filling a vacancy at No.3. He is making the position his own.
– Ends
